diff --git a/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r1/bgpd.conf b/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r1/bgpd.conf
index af05e49bfa..d6c83079f7 100644
--- a/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r1/bgpd.conf
+++ b/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r1/bgpd.conf
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ router bgp 65001
  bgp router-id 10.10.10.1
  no bgp ebgp-requires-policy
  neighbor 2001:db8:1::1 remote-as external
+ neighbor 2001:db8:1::1 timers 3 10
  address-family ipv6 unicast
   redistribute connected
   neighbor 2001:db8:1::1 activate
diff --git a/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r2/bgpd.conf b/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r2/bgpd.conf
index 6ad7fdf06c..bdcae4a996 100644
--- a/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r2/bgpd.conf
+++ b/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r2/bgpd.conf
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ router bgp 65000 view RS
  bgp router-id 10.10.10.2
  no bgp ebgp-requires-policy
  neighbor 2001:db8:1::2 remote-as external
+ neighbor 2001:db8:1::2 timers 3 10
  neighbor 2001:db8:3::2 remote-as external
+ neighbor 2001:db8:3::2 timers 3 10
  address-family ipv6 unicast
   redistribute connected
   neighbor 2001:db8:1::2 activate
diff --git a/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r3/bgpd.conf b/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r3/bgpd.conf
index ea1f73a5dc..4b565e7b77 100644
--- a/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r3/bgpd.conf
+++ b/tests/topotests/bgp_route_server_client/r3/bgpd.conf
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ router bgp 65003
  bgp router-id 10.10.10.3
  no bgp ebgp-requires-policy
  neighbor 2001:db8:3::1 remote-as external
+ neighbor 2001:db8:3::1 timers 3 10
  address-family ipv6 unicast
   redistribute connected
   neighbor 2001:db8:3::1 activate